I am aware of several HUGE ranches in Texas who ended their deer breeding programs (mostly native South Texas genetics) because the CWD question was so difficult to deal with, and there was always the possibility that one deer could test positive and cause the rancher to have to slaughter their entire herd. Even if it was a false positive, because there was no re-testing available to save the herd. Also no provision to save uninfected animals, just a total slaughter.

I am aware of one rancher who was forced to slaughter his entire breeder herd, valued at over $2 million, even though he proved the test was a false positive. His primary business was selling pasture deer to improve low fence herds with native genetics. Zero hunting on his place.

When that happened, I know of at least a dozen ranches who released every deer they had in their breeder pens. Some went to their own low fence pastures, some were on a larger high fence place. None had ever had a positive test anywhere close, but all the ones I personally knew said the risk of loss was just too great.

That's just how stupid the testing was. A "breeder pen" was subject to testing and slaughter, but the same deer could be released into a larger enclosure without the same risk.